Cup-dispensing apparatus



CUP DISPBNSING APPARATUS originali Filed July 23' 1919 P. Sheets-Sheet 1 July 27 ,1926. 1,593,717

J. FRICK CUP DI SPENS ING APPARATUS Original Filed July 23, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet J Jvnwhfot:

. cup for each actuation,

Patented July 27,1926.

UNITED STATES JOHN FRICX, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

CUP-DISPESING APPARATUS.

Original application led VJuly 23, 1919, Serial No. 312,806. Divided and this application led February 20, 1022. Serial No. 531,797.

This invention relates to an improvement in cup dispensing apparatus and more particularly -for dispensing nested paper cups.

A large portion of the paper cups used to-day at soda fountains, or which are disused in railroad cars, stations, or at drinklng fountains, are of conical form, and are provided with an annular flange at their larger end or the top thereof. These cups are usually nested in a container or dispensing device, and are removed one by one as they are tobe used. 4As the taper of these cups is usually of a very slight angle, the cup to be removed frequently sticks to the next cup to s uch an extent that the delivery mechanism Will frequently miss delivering a cu when it is actuated` T e object of my invention is to provide dis ensing mechamsm which is so arranged and] actuated as to insure the delivery of a so long as there is a supply of cups in the container.

I accomplish this object by providinrr a `plurality of holders and ejectors, prelerably three, which are arranged to 'engage the flange of the second cup to restrain said cu against movementLand to simultaneous y en at a plurality of oints, the flange o the cup to be ejected), and move the cup parallel to the axis of the cups to prevent jamming or locking of the first cup within the second cup! A Another object of my invention is to provide devices vof this character which will `engage the anges of the'cu s at ints close to the junction of the bodp an ange of the cup, as well as device w lch will enga a large area of the ilange, to distribute tg ressure exerted thereon over a relatively arge surface.

he' precise nature of my invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which will now be described, 1t being premised, however, that changes may be ma e in the details of construction wxthout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as deined in the ap ended claims.

igure 1 is a plan view of one form of cup olding and delivery mechanism, built in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2, of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a similar view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a detail bottom view of one pair of the cup holding fingers and their carrying slides.

Flgs. 5, 6 and 7, perspective views showing respectively the upper and lower lingers, the ejectors, and their actuating devices, in their several positions.

In these drawin the reference character 36 designates a cy indrical container which is partially cut away to permit the insertion of a stack of nested paper cups 37. The container 36 is supported within an annular flange 38 on a base member 39, which may be supported in any desired manner within a sulta le case or cabinet.

The nested cups are sulported in an upright position by means o suitable fingers, w ich are in engagement with either the annular flange 40 on the lower cup or a similar -flange on the next to the lowest cu when the lowest cup is being ejected. glidably mounted for radial movement in guides formed in the base plate 39 and angle plates 42 secured thereto, are lower and upper cup su porting fingers 41 and 45 respectively,- an which are moved to t eir retracted positions by respectively.

44and48arecam inanannular seat in the base plate 39, and lare each rovided with three recesses and three 'gh points, for actuating the three fingers 41 and 45 of the two sets through the medium of r'ollers 41, 45, on said lingers, and are retained in engagement with the cams by means of the springs 43 and 47. The rollers 41 are shown in igs. 2 and 3, the rollers 45l being shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 4 and in dotted lines in Fi 1.

49v are ejector levels t ere being one mounted on each of the lower rs 41 on a in 50, and are arranged to e moved ra ially with said lingers. Each ejector lever is provided with an extension 51, havin projections between which is mounted a ro er 52. 53 are cams on the cam r' which are arranged to pass under ro ers 52 when the cam rings are rotated as hereinafter described, to rock the ejectors 49 and eject the lowermost cup 37.

The cam rings 44 and 48 are secured to each other by means of screws 65, and 61 is an operating handle secured to the top cam ring 4S and is normally held against a stop plate 63, by springs 54. These springs the springs43 and 47,`

54 are connected to pins on the upper cam ring 48 and pins on the base 39. 4 Pivoted to the base 39 is a locking lever 55 which is normally held in the position shown in Figure 1 by a spring 57, so that the end thereof is within a low point in the cam ring 44 and prevents shoulder 66 passing beyond the lever 55, unless the lever is first withdrawn, as hereinafter described.

56 is a cam face on the lever 55, in line with the ed of coin 58 when inserted in a slot in the and. lever 61.

Connected at one end to the base 39, is a plate 59 having ratchet teeth 6() at the other end'thereof, and which plate extends along the line of movement of the coin in the slot in the hand lever 61, for supporting the coin 58, throu h the major portion of the movement of t e coin.

67 is a coin chute extending from the annular flange 38 to the wall of the 'casing and is arranged to deliver the inserted coin to the slot in the hand lever 61.

The arts are normally in the position shown in the drawi and in which the fingers 45 and their ejecting levers are retracted to' oints beyond the flanges 40 of the cups 3 and the rest of cups is supported by the fingers 41 which are advanced under the flan e 40 of the lowermost cup.

When it is esired to eject a cup, a coin is inserted in the chute 67, which will pass into the slot in the hand lever 61, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The hand lever 61 is now moved clockwise and during its first movement the coin will ride along the cam face 56 on locking lever 55 and move the lockiii lever out of the line of movement of shou der 66 before said shoulder reaches the end of the lookin lever, so that the cam rings can be actuated a sufficient distance to e'ect a cup. In this clockwise movement of t e cam rings 44 and 48, the high points on the cam ring 48 will first engage the rollers 45 on fingers 45, and advance said fingers together with ejecting levers 49 between the flanges 40 of the lowermost cu 37 and the next cup. In the further rotation of the cam rings, the low points of cam ring 44 will be moved opposite the rollers 41* on fingers 41 and permit said fingers to be withdrawn from under the flange on the lowermost cup by the springs 43. The cams 53 in the further movement of the cam rings 44 and 48 will pass under rollers 52, rock said levers and as the inner ends thereof are between the flanges 40 of the two lowerrnost cups, the lowcrinost cup will be ejected by said levers while the second cup, together with the reniainder of the cups, will be supported by the fingers 45. The hand lever 61 is now released and as the coin has been moved beyond the free end of plate 59, it will drop through the slot in the hand lever and permit the spring 57 to move the locking lever 55 into locking position and the cam rings will be returned to the positions shown in the drawings, by springs 54.

If it is desired to provide ejecting mechanism without the use of a coin, it is on] necessary to omit lever 55, and in whic case the mechanism can readily be actuated to eject cups one by one.

The advantages of my invention result from the provision of cup dispensing mechanisin having a pluralit of ejectors which are arran ed to move in planes substantially para lel to the axis of the cup to be ejected, so as to move the cup in a direct line. I

Another advantage results from the provision of radially movable cup holding fingers carrying cup ejectors which are so ar-4 ranged that the fingers are first moved into position to hold the second cup while the ejectors engage the first cup to stri it from the second cup. This provision o radially movable fingers also permits the provision of fingers and ejectors having broad bearing surfaces, as well as permitting the en- Uagement of the cup flanges at or near their junctions to the cu bo ies. The expression radially mova le fingers means that said fingers are movable toward and from the common axis of the supporting frame, cup-container, and cups.

This a plication is a division of my application, erial' No. 312,806, filed July 23, 1919.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. A cup dispensin supports arranged at ifferent angular positions about the cup delivery point and also arraii ed to be moved into and out of holding re ation with the first and second cups by a right-line movement radial to the axis of the cups; a cup ejector distinct from the cup supports and mounted on an axis perpendicular to the axis of the cups; means or moving the cup supports; and means for rocking the cup ejector about its pivot axis when the sup ort for the first cup is withdrawn and t e other support is in supportn relation to the second cup.

2. Clip ejectin mechanism for stacked conical cups having flanges at their open ends, com rising alternately operable, radially mova le supports for engaging respectively the flanges of the first and of the second cups; cam means for moving said supports ina right line toward the axis of the cups; means for moving said supports in the reverse direction; cup e ectors mounted upon the several supports or the second cup and adapted to swing in a plane radial to the axis of the cups; and cam means for actuating the ejectors to eject the device having cup first cup when the fiange of the second cup is engaged by the supports.

3. Cup dispensing mechanism for stacked conical cups having flanges at their open ends, comprising radially movable fingers for supportin ly engagin the flange of the first cu ra ially movab e fingers for supporting y engaging the flange of the second cup; means for moving said fingers radially inward in alternation; means'for moving said fingers radially outward in alternation; cup ejecting devices for engaging the flan e of the first cup; and means for actuating t e ejectors to eject the first cup when one set of fingers is withdrawn and the other set is in supporting relation with the second cup.

4. A cup-dispensing device comprising a supportin frame; upper and lower sets of fingers ra ially movable in said frame, for su porting a stack of nested, lian ed, conical) cu s, the upper set of fingers eing ar ra to be moved into position to engage the flange of the second cup when the lower set is withdrawn, and the lower set being arr ed to be moved into position to engage the ange of the first cup when the upper set of fingers is withdrawn; oscillating cam means for moving said fingers radially inward; means for moving said fingers radiall outward; cup ejectors arranged to engage the flange of t e first cup to eject said cup when the lingers of the upper set are in position to support the second cup; and cams to actuate said ejectors.

5. A cup-dispensing device comprising a supportin frame; up r and lower sets of fingers ra ially mova le in the frame, for sup rting a stack of flanged and nested conical cups, the upier set of fingers being arranged to be move into position to engage the fian e of the second cup when the lower set is withdrawn, and the lower set being arranged to be moved into potion to engage the flange of the first cup when the upper set of fingers is withdrawn; oscillatin cam means for moving said fin ers radia inward; means for moving sai ngers radially outward; cup e'ectors arran d to be moved in cplanes para el to the axls of the cups; an meansfor actuating the ejectors to strip the first cup from the second cup when the lower set of fingers is retracted and the upper set is advanced into supporting position with relation to the second cu 6. A device for dispensing stack conical cups having flanges at their tops, comprisiilig a frame, upper and lower sets'of radia y movable fingers mounted on the frame, an oscillatin cam ring mounted on the frame, cams or said ring for advancing one set of fingers and to then permit the other set to be withdrawn, means for withdrawing said fingers, rocking ejectors arranged to be moved about axes perpendicular to the axis of the cups, and cams on the cam ring to rock the ejectors to eject the first cup when the lower set of fingers is withdrawn and the u per set is advanced, to stri the first cup rom the second cup along t e axis of the cups.

7. A device for dispensing stacked conical cups having flanges at their tops, com rising a frame, upper and lower sets of ra ially movable fingers mounted on the frame, an oscillating cam rin mounted on the frame cams on said ring lor advancing one set of lingers and to then permit the other set to be withdrawn, springs for withdrawing said fingers, a rocking ejector carried by each of the upper fingers and arranged to be moved about axes perpendicular to the axis of the cups, and cams on the cam ring to rock the ejectors to eject the first cup when the lower set of fingers is withdrawn and the upper set is advanced, to strip the first cup from the second cup along the axis of the cups.

8. Mechanism for dispensing stacked flanged conical cups, comprising a frame; upper and lower sets of lingers movable in lines radial to the common axis of the frame and cups, the lower set of fingers being arranged to move beneath the lowermost flange of the stacked cups to support the column, the upper set of said fin ers being arranged to move between the owermost flange and the one next above it to support the column of cups when the lower lingers are withdrawn to release the lowermost cup; means for advancing the upper and lower 'fingers into supporting position alternately;

means for alternately retracting said fingers from sup orting position; cutp ejectors carried by tiie upper fingers an movable into ejectinnrelation t-o the lower cup when the upper gers are carried into cup-supporting position and means for rocking the ejectors relatively to the upper set of fingers when the latter are in su porting position, to positively withdraw t e lowermost cup from the second cup.

9. A cup dispensing device comprising a supporting frame having an opening through it or the passage of cups, means carried by said frame for holdin in upright position a column of flan e cups in nested relation, a plurality o 'deways carried by the frame and arrangeih radial relation to tlie axis of the cup column, an upper and a lower cup support in each radial guidewa-y, a cup ejector carried by each upper cup support, on a horizontal ivot, an oscillatable ring concentric with t e cu column and supported by the frame, said ring bein provid with cam surfaces to move mwar and hold in cup-supporting adjustment, alternatel the upper and lower cup supports, and wit other cam surfaces to actuate the cup ejectors when the upper cup supports are in supporting position and the lower cup lll supports are in retracted position, and means for moving the cup supports in a direction opposite to that in which they are moved by said cam surfaces.

10. A cu dispensing device comprising a frame havin an opening for the assage through it o cups, means carried y said frame for holding in upright position a column of anged cups in nested relation, a plurality of guidewa s carried bysaid frame and arranged in ra ial relation to the axis of the cup column, a cup support movable in each radial guideway, cup ejectors carried one b each said cup support upon a horizonta pivot, means for moving said cup supports toV a position Where their supporting ends shall enter between the lovvel'most cup ofthe column and 'the cup next above it, and means for rocking` said ejectors each in a vertical plane radial to the axis of the cup column.

11. In a machine for dispensing flan ed cups, .a base having a central opening or the passa e of cups; a slide on said base reciprocab e toward and away from said central opening' another slide also on said u base and space above the first-mentioned slide; and means carried by said base for advancing and receding the respective slides.

12. In a dispensing mechanism for flanged cupsa base having a central o ening for the assage of cups; a series o slides on said base reciprocable toward and awa from said central opening; another series o slides also on said"baseand spaced above the first mentioned series; and means carried by said base for advancing a'nd receding the slides of the respective'series.`

13. In a dis ensing mechanism for ilanged cups, a base aving acentral o` ning for the assage of cups; a series o ,slides on said Ease reciprocable toward and away from said central opening; another series of slides also on said base and spaced above the firstmentioned series; means carried by said base for advancing and receding the slides of the respective series, each slide of the secondmentioned series having an ejector arm pivoted thereon; and means for operating each of said arms to cause the same to eject a cup.

cups, a base the passage of cups a series of slides on said base reciprocable toward and away from said central opening; another series of slides also onasaid base and spaced above the firstmentioned series ;l and means carried by said base for alternately advancing and receding the slides of the respective series.

15. ln a dispensing mechanism for flanged cups, a base having a central opening for the passage of cups; a series of movable cip supports on said base; an ejector distinct from the cup supports and pivotally supported in operative 4relation with res t to said su ports; and means supper said base or moving said cup` supports and rockin said ejector about its pivot axis.

16. n a dispensinglmechanism for Han ed cups, a base having a central opening or the passage of cups; .a series of movable cup supports on said base; an ejector distinct from the cup. supportsand pivotally sup ported on said cup su ports; and means supported on said base or moving said cup supports and rocking said ejector about its pivot axis.

17. In a cups, a base the' said ase reciproca le toward and away from said central opening another series of slides also on said -base an spaced above the rstmentioned series; and cams carried by said base for advancing and receding the slides of the respective series.` V

In testimony of which' invention, Ihave hereunto set my hand, atrDetroit, Michigan, on this 13th day of January, 1922.

JOHN Finca dis ensing mechanism for ilanged aving a central opening for 14. In a dispensing mechanism for flan ed i aving a central opening or passage of cu s; a series of slides on l base and space frame for holding in upright position a column of flanged cups in nest/ed relation, a.`

plurality of gliidewa s carried by`said frame ial relation to the axis and arrangedA in ra of the cup column, a cup support movable in each radial guideway, cup ejectors carried one b each said cup support upon a horizonta pivot, means for moving said cup supports to a position where their supporting ends shall enter between the lowermost` of the column and the cup next above it, an means for rocking said ejectors each in a vertical plane radial to the axis of the cup column.

11. In a machine for dispensing flan ed cups, .a base having a centralopening or the passa e of cups; a slide on said base reciprocab e toward and away from said central opening' another slide also on said above the first-mentioned slide; and means carried by said base for advancing and receding the respective slides. 12. In a. dispensing mechanism for flanged cups, a base having a central opening for the assage of cups; a series of slides on said base reciprocable toward and awa from said central opening; another series o slides also on said"baseand spaced above the first mentioned series; and means carried by said base for advancing a'nd receding the slides of Vthe respective series.

13. In a dis ensing mechanism for anged cups, a base aving acentral ov ning for the assage of cups; a series o slides on said ase reciprocable toward and awa from said central opening' another series o slides also on said base and spaced above the firstmentioned series; means carried by said base for advancing and receding the slides of the respective series, each slide of the secondmentioned series having an ejector arm `pivoted thereon; and means for operating each of said arms to cause the same to eject a cup.

cups, a base the passage of cups; a series' of slides on said base reciprocable toward and away from said central opening; another series of slides also onzsaid base and spaced above the irstmentioned series and means carried by said base for alternately advancing and receding the slides of the respective series.'

15. In a dispensing mechanism for flanged cups, a base having a central opening for the passage of cups; a series of movable up supports on said base; an ejector distinct from the cup supports and pivotally supported in operative relation with resiect to said sufpports; and means supporte on said base or moving said cupsupports and rockin said ejector about its pivot axis.

16. n a dispensingmechanisin for flan ed cups, a base having a central opening or the passage of cups; .a series of movable cup supports on said from the cup. supports and pivotally supported on said cup su ports; and means base; an ejector distinctV 14. In a dispensing mechanism for flan ed I aving a central opening or' supported on said base or moving said cup supports and rocking said ejector about its pivot axis.

17. In a displensing mechanism for flanged clilips, a base aving a central opening for t e' said ase reciproca, le toward and away Vfrom said central opening; another series of slides also on said 'base and spaced above the firstmentioned series; and cams carried by said base for advancing and receding the slides of the respective Series In testimony of whichinvention, Ihave hereunto set my hand, atDetroit, Michigan, on this 13th day of January, 1922.

JOHN FRICK.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. Frick, of Detroit,

were erroneously yissued to the inventor, said Frickl` upon the application of Johnv Cup-Dispensing 'Ap a-ratus, whereas said Letters 1593,71?, granted July 27, 192e, lVfichigan, for ,an improvement in been issued to Richmond Beverage Maa corporation of Virginia, said corporaof the entire interest in said invention,

as shown by t e records of assignments in this oiice; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction the record of the case in the Patent Oflioe.

therein that the same may conform to Signed and sealed this 28th day of September, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE, Acting 'onwnssianer of Patents.

passage of cu s; a series of slides on Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 1593,71?, granted July 27, 1926, upon the application of John Frick, of Detroit, Michigan, for an improvement in Cup-Dispensing Apparatus, were erroneously 4issued to the inventor, said Frick` whereas said Letters Patent should have been issued to Rich/mond Beverage Machine C'0rp0mt1l0n,`of Richmond, Virginia, a corporation of Virginia, said corporation being assi nee, by mesme assignments, of the entire interest in said invention, as shown by t e records of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oioe.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of September, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

